If you have pain at the base of your thumb, worse when you grip objects, you may have arthritis at the base of your thumb. Arthritis in this area commonly leads to pain when twisting lids off jars or opening stiff doorknobs, turning keys, or pulling off stockings.

The pain is usually felt vaguely at the muscle at the base of the thumb. This pain may be associated with stiffness in the morning, with gradual improvement as you begin the day, and then more pain in this region with increasing use of the thumb as the day progresses.

Treatment of this very common problem often begins with use of an anti-inflammatory medication and a thumb brace. Injections may also be used. Surgery is rarely necessary, but can be very effective in severe cases.